Architectonica maxima

Architectonica maxima, common name giant sundial, is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Architectonicidae, which are known as the staircase shells or sundials.[1]

Shells of Architectonica maxima

Giant sundial
Shell of Architectonica maxima from Japan at the Museo Civico di Storia Naturale di Milano
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Mollusca
Class:
Gastropoda
(unranked):
clade Heterobranchia
informal group Lower Heterobranchia
Superfamily:
Architectonicoidea
Family:
Architectonicidae
Genus:
Architectonica
Species:
A. maxima
Binomial name
Architectonica maxima
(Philippi, 1849)
Synonyms
  • Solarium maximum Philippi, 1849[1]

Description

Architectonica maxima has a shell that reaches 19 – 82 mm[2] and it is the largest member of the sundial family. This shell is low-spired and quite flattened, with a beaded surface. The shoulder slope is divided into two ribs by a spiral groove.[3] The basic color is cream, with brown spots.

Distribution

This species can be found in the Indo-Pacific, from East Africa and the Persian Gulf to western Pacific, Japan, eastern Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia and Hawaii.[2][4][5][3]

Habitat

Giant sundial is a carnivore deeper water sea snail living on sandy patches and muddy sublittoral bottoms,[3] close to soft corals, at a depth of 10 – 280 m.[5]

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References
  1. WoRMS
  2. "Architectonica (Maxima-group) maxima". Gastropods.com. Retrieved 12 January 2019.
  3. Ftp.fao
  4. Discover Life
  5. Sealifebase


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